Home › University of Minnesota-Twin Cities › Physics

Physics at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $54,350/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Large (77,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.3x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #27 of 75 Physics programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physics graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $631K $614K $559K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.3x 8.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.3x 4.2x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 70% 62% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,952
Out-of-state: $145,608 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$68,556
-4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,930
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,489
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $54,350 at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities come in 17% above the national median of $46,482 for Physics programs.

A 9.3x earnings multiple over ten years puts this program in solid financial territory. Tuition is well-justified by projected earnings.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Physics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $54,350 far exceeding the $23,930 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #27 ranking among 75 Physics programs places University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

A 22% earnings increase from $54,350 to $66,489 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

University of Minnesota-Twin Cities accepts 77% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 30,469 students enrolled in Minneapolis, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities →

Top Career Paths

Physicists $166,290/yr
Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Physics teachers, postsecondary $97,360/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 75 schools offering Physics →

Physics at Other Schools

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($70,150) Brigham Young University ($68,664) University of Pennsylvania ($68,215) Whitworth University ($65,316) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($64,045) Portland State University ($62,749) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($62,647) Georgia College & State University ($62,478)

Other Majors at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Computer Engineering ($85,672) Computer Science ($82,861) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($79,808) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($76,184) Construction Management ($75,705) Industrial Engineering ($73,777) Mechanical Engineering ($73,433) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($73,403)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Physics at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
At 58/100, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities's Physics program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Should I worry about AI if I study Physics at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →